Ireland’s family activity finder

Tell us the basics. We’ll match activities to your family, your journey, your budget, and the weather on the day.

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Illustrated Irish landscape: a stone castle among wooded hills, a winding country lane climbing to a map marker on the summit, and shamrocks in the foreground.
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Things to do near Knockoura

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

8 strong matches for your family · plus 28 more nearby Includes live listings from 3 official sources
Free eventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Castletownbere Festival of the Sea

Fri 31 Jul 2026 – Sat 8 Aug 2026 · Check official times Castletown-Bearhaven · Cork About 5 min drive Free
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesThis festival celebrates Castletownbere's maritime history with live music, seafood, cultural displays, and water activities. There will be a world record attempt to pull a 1,000-tonne tug.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Sneem International Storytelling & Folklore Festival 2026

Thu 12 Nov 2026 – Sun 15 Nov 2026 · Check official times Sneem · Kerry About 30 min drive €75
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesThis festival in Sneem has storytelling, lectures, and performances for all ages. Children have their own events, and adults can enjoy plays and a choir concert.

Free eventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Schull Regatta Festival 2026

Sat 8 Aug 2026 – Sun 9 Aug 2026 · Check official times Schull · Cork About 45 min drive Free
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor No booking needed

Why it matchesThis festival in Schull offers a weekend of family fun with crab fishing, a treasure hunt, an art competition, tug o' war, and a raft race. There will be live music and other activities across the village.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Molly Gallivan's Cottage and Traditional Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Kerry About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesVisit a 200-year-old cottage and traditional farm with animals. See famine ruins and an ancient sun calendar. You can join a guided tour to try traditional farm jobs like turf cutting, sheep shearing, butter churning, and weaving.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Dursey Boat Trips

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 15 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake a 90-minute boat trip around Dursey Island and nearby rocks to see lighthouses, natural arches, and local wildlife like whales, dolphins, and seabirds. You can also do a trip around Bere Island.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Sunfish Explorer - Motorised Kayaking Tours

Open dates vary · Check official times Kerry About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages, kids go free Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake a guided motorised kayaking tour along Kenmare Bay to see the scenery and wildlife. You can choose a fishing or wildlife tour.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Gleninchaquin Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Kenmare · Kerry About 35 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesGleninchaquin Park is a family-run park and farm in a valley on the Beara Peninsula. You can walk trails through streams and woodlands, see a 140m waterfall, and enjoy the lakes. There are picnic spots too.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Wild Atlantic Wildlife

Open dates vary · Check official times Adrigole · Cork About 25 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesRent a kayak, canoe, or rowboat in Adrigole harbour to see a seal colony. No experience is needed. For more adventure, take a live-aboard sailing trip to explore the coast and its wildlife.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Bere Island

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 10 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore Bere Island, seeing ancient sites, Martello towers, and the Heritage Centre. You can walk, cycle, or take part in water activities like boat trips, fishing, and swimming.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Dooneen Pier

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 25 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can go fishing for mackerel from Dooneen Pier, or take a swim in the sheltered waters. It's a good spot for a picnic too.

No official website listed
Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Schull Harbour

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy a paddle in the calm waters of Schull Harbour or take a walk along the harbour to experience the village atmosphere. It is a popular spot for water activities.

No official website listed
Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Bere Island Ferries

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 5 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake a ferry to Bere Island to explore its walking trails, military heritage sites, and enjoy views of the Slieve Miskish and Caha Mountains. Tickets are bought on board.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Bere Island (West End Pier)

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 10 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore Bere Island, enjoying its scenery and historical sites like Martello towers and forts. It is good for walking and cycling, and the community is very welcoming.

No official website listed
Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Pontoon Pier

Open dates vary · Check official times Pontoon · Cork About 10 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can walk along Pontoon Pier and enjoy the sea air, or take a boat trip from here to Bere Island to explore its history.

No official website listed
Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Bere Island (East End Pier)

Open dates vary · Check official times Bere Island · Cork About 15 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake the ferry to Bere Island and explore. You can walk or cycle around the island, enjoying the views of the Beara Peninsula mountains.

No official website listed
Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Murphy's Ferry Service

Open dates vary · Check official times Bere Island · Cork About 15 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake a car and passenger ferry to Bere Island. It's a chance to see the island and the bay from the water.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Derreen Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Kerry About 25 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesExplore over 60 acres of gardens with 12km of paths, spotting rare plants and wildlife like Sika deer and sea eagles. Enjoy views of the harbour and mountains, then have a picnic or cream tea.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Árthach Dána, Amergin Memorial Sculpture & Sundial

Open dates vary · Check official times Waterville · Kerry About 30 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis large bronze sculpture in Waterville is a tribute to explorers and seafarers. It features a sundial and depicts a boat emerging from the sea.

No official website listed
Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Charlie Chaplin Statue

Open dates vary · Check official times Waterville · Kerry About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesSee the bronze statue of Charlie Chaplin, a famous silent movie actor, in Waterville. He and his family used to holiday here. The statue looks out over Ballinskelligs Bay.

No official website listed
Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Barley Cove

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesVisit Barley Cove, a sandy beach with dunes formed by a tsunami. You can get to the beach from the car park by crossing a floating pontoon over a river.

No official website listed
Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Waterville Heritage Gallery

Open dates vary · Check official times Waterville · Kerry About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis outdoor gallery has 150 information panels on Valentia Island Slate and over 300 photos about South Kerry's heritage, culture, and nature. There are picnic benches with views of Waterville and Ballinskelligs Bay.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Heron Gallery Café and Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Ahakista · Cork About 30 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis is an art gallery, cafe and gardens. You can see Annabel Langrish's art, walk around the gardens, and have a coffee, scone or lunch.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Illnacullin - Garinish Island

Open dates vary · Check official times Garinish Island · Cork About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake a short boat trip to Garinish Island and explore the gardens. You will see plants from all over the world, with different flowers blooming depending on the time of year.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Blue Pool Ferry

Open dates vary · Check official times Glengarriff · Cork About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake a short ferry trip from Blue Pool to Garnish Island and explore the tropical gardens there. The ferry leaves every 30 minutes.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Glengarriff Harbour

Open dates vary · Check official times Glengarriff · Cork About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can watch boats in the harbour, admire the buildings, or walk through the ancient oak forests along the coastline.

No official website listed
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Whiddy Island

Open dates vary · Check official times Whiddy Island · Cork About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake a short ferry to Whiddy Island and explore its unique nature and wildlife. Look for fuchsia and insect-eating plants, or visit the Napoleonic fort. You can also relax by the lakes and watch for birds.

No official website listed
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Gour

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 5 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can park up and enjoy the views over the local countryside and Bantry Bay from this lookout spot on the Beara Peninsula.

No official website listed
Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Castletownbere Harbour

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 5 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can watch the fishing boats in Castletownbere Harbour and walk along the palm-lined waterfront. The town is nearby for exploring.

No official website listed
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Seefin Viewpoint

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 25 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis is a scenic viewpoint with picnic tables. You can start a walk up Mount Seefin or join the Sheep's Head Way walking route from here.

No official website listed
Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Mizen Head

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesVisit the Mizen Head Signal Station, learn about its history, and look for wildlife like seals and whales from the bridge. Explore the keepers' quarters and engine room.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Whiddy Island View

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 35 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis is a spot to take in the views over Bantry Bay and Whiddy Island. It is a rocky landscape with native heathland.

No official website listed
Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Ilnacullin – Garinish Island

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake a short ferry trip to this island garden and explore the unique plants and architecture. You might even spot seals and sea eagles on the way.

No official website listed
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Blue Pool

Open dates vary · Check official times Beara Peninsula · Cork About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesWander through the woods from Glengarriff village to find the tidal Blue Pool. You can dip your feet in the rock basin and explore the forest trails for views of the harbour.

No official website listed
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Glengarriff Bamboo Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore an exotic garden with many types of bamboo, palms, and tropical plants. There are paths to wander and views of Glengarriff Harbour, plus some mysterious old stone pillars.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Long Island

Open dates vary · Check official times Long Island · Cork About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can take a short ferry to Long Island, then enjoy walking on the shingle beaches and looking at the plants and animals.

No official website listed
Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Dunboy

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 5 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy a walk in Dunboy Woods, with a choice of three waymarked trails. The shortest is 1km, and the longest is part of the Beara Way.

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02

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03

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